Curious About Purim? Try These Resources!
Why should Christians consider celebrating Purim?
For fun, I asked a chatbot on YouTube: "Why is Purim significant in the context of Christianity?"
Chat Tube replied:
Purim is significant in the context of Christianity because it is a holiday celebrated by both Jewish and Messianic communities. In the Book of Esther, the holiday commemorates how God's faithfulness saved the Jewish people in Persia. It's a time to remember God's deliverance and provision, which can strengthen faith and draw individuals closer to God. Celebrating Purim can serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness and how He can work in miraculous ways in people's lives.
Frankly, I don't think Chat Tube is ready to win any debates with answers like that.
I grew up reading from the whole Jewish Bible - you do know the whole Bible was written by Jews, right? First and foremost my litmus test for knowing what to do goes back to a question I was taught to ask myself at a very young age - What would My Saviour do?
Well, Our Saviour celebrated the feasts laid out in Leviticus and He would also have celebrated the Feast of Purin. If it was important to Him, then I believe it is also something that should be important to those who profess to follow Him.
True, we are not saved by works, we are saved by grace. Therefore it is important to watch the position of our hearts when we do any works - whether it is in prayer, giving to the needy, or taking part in observances and celebrations of Our Creator's Sabbaths and Special appointed times.
Think of it this way, we should not be going on a date because we feel obligated to do so, but because we love the person we are spending time with and want to show them our love and commitment to them by going on dates with them at times they have set aside as best for them.
Now if someone were to prove to me without a doubt that Our Creator does not want us to celebrate Purim or that His Son did not celebrate Purim, I would say - then perhaps the book of Esther should not be included in the Bible.
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What is Purim?
This video from the YouTube channel Life with Eve gives a good overview of Purim from a Messianic viewpoint. In her video, "5 Reasons Christians Should Consider Celebrating Purim", Eve points out the following:
- Purim is in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Esther, encouraging believers to celebrate and remember God's faithfulness.
- Purim is a great alternative to Halloween: Purim provides a festive atmosphere with costumes and celebrations, offering a positive alternative to Halloween.
- Purim encourages giving: Traditionally, Purim includes giving to those in need, promoting a spirit of generosity and community.
- Purim is a joyful holiday. Purim is filled with parties, costumes, and plays, making it a fun and interactive way to engage with the biblical story of Esther.
- Purim encourages reading scriptures:. Celebrating Purim involves reading the Book of Esther and discussing God's faithfulness and provision, promoting a deeper engagement with scripture.
What are Some Messianic Children's Ministry Resources to Use with Purim?
I asked the Chatbot "Copilot" in the Bing search: What are some free messianic children's ministry resources that can be used with Purim?" and it replied:
For Purim, there are several free Messianic resources available that can be used in children's ministry:
- The Messianic Light offers insights into Purim for believers in Yeshua, explaining the significance of the holiday and how it can be celebrated¹.
- Messianic Kids provides a variety of educational materials rooted in Messianic Jewish thought, including a children's curriculum that covers Torah portions which could be adapted for Purim².
- YMTOI (Young Messianic Torah Observant Israelites) has free teaching materials for parents and Sabbath school teachers to assist in instruction, which may include resources for Purim³.
- The Jewish Educator Portal by The Lookstein Center offers a collection of digital activities, lesson plans, and more for teaching about Purim⁴.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/23/2024
(1) Purim for Believers in Yeshua - The Messianic Light. https://messianiclight.com/purim/.
(2) Messianic Kids – Education for the Next Generation of Yeshua's Disciples. http://messianickids.com/.
(3) YMTOI - Young Messianic Torah Observant Israelites. https://ymtoi.org/.
(4) Purim Resources | The Jewish Educator Portal. https://educator.jewishedproject.org/content/purim-resources
About This Author
Sister Su is grateful to God for keeping her alive. She is a Trent/Queen's Concurrent Education graduate with over 20 years of teaching experience. She writes on several blogs, has a YouTube channel and is most easily reached through Twitter @Sister_Su See her link tree for more details:@Sister_Su | Linktree
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